post
BLOG AND NEWS

How to Nurture Your Reluctant Reader

Jul 5, 2018
 
 

While you’d like your son or daughter to disappear into the land of Narnia or be swept up in a Harry Potter spell while reading, the reality may be the opposite of this for your child. In fact, they might even say they hate reading and when they finally sit down with a book, you hear cries of, “Am I done yet?” or “How many more pages?” every few minutes.

 

But where does this reluctance come from? Has your child not found the type of books they can get excited about? Are they getting frustrated because they have to sound out every word? Are they a fluent reader who struggles to comprehend what they’ve read? Understanding the root of your reader’s reluctance is the first step in trying to find the best way to help them.

 

Explore Their Interests —  via Books!

Thanks to inter-library loans and websites like Amazon and Scholastic, there are more books than ever available. Tap into your son or daughter’s interests when searching for new options. Animals, Minecraft, Star Wars, My Little Pony – make reading more fun by providing your child with a high-interest topic. Connect a field trip to the aquarium with a book about sharks or find a book about sea life before heading to Sea World.

 

Create a Positive Reading Atmosphere

Establish a time for quiet reading in your household as something to look forward to and enjoy! If your reluctant reader sees you reading, he or she is less likely to see reading as a punishment or something negative. Stepping away from TV time or iPad games as a family eliminates distractions and can allow your child to see reading as something enjoyable.

 

Try Audiobooks and Read-Alouds

Allow your child to be exposed to text in different ways: have a read aloud or listen to an audiobook. Hearing a fun, exciting story may motivate your child to seek out a book on their own. After you read or listen to a story, you can gauge your student’s comprehension by asking some imagery questions. Things like, “How did you see that happening?” or “What do you picture happening next?” can begin a fun discussion of the story and allow you to see what your child is getting out of it.

 

Eliminate the Possibility of a Reading Weakness

No matter how many fun and exciting books your child is exposed to, reading may continue to be a source of strife if he or she has a decoding weakness. Having to sound out the same word every time it appears, slow reading, and difficulty differentiating the letters and sounds within words are all signs of a reading weakness. These challenges may be tied to your child’s symbol imagery, which is the ability to create mental imagery for sounds and letters. Having symbol imagery that’s in-tact is essential for being able to decode new words, maintain sight words and become an independent, fluent reader.

 

Learn more about reading difficulty and solutions here.

 

Tackle Reading Comprehension Head-On

Being a fluent reader doesn’t guarantee strong reading comprehension. Your child may not be making a “movie in their mind” while they read, which allows comprehension to happen. Concept imagery is the ability to create an imagined gestalt — or whole — from language. Listening to audiobooks or being read to won’t necessarily make comprehension any easier for a student who has a concept imagery weakness. Learn about the imagery-language connection for reading here.

 

If you have concerns about your child’s reading or comprehension, please get in touch with your local learning centre: Double Bay (02) 9328 7119 | Chatswood (02) 9410 1006

Connect with us
Lindamood-Bell summer learning can change your child’s life! Our evidence-based instruction improves Reading, Comprehension, and Math in just a few weeks. 
⏳Enroll now for special savings on your first week of summer learning. Hurry, spots are filling fast! 
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a Meaningful Impact This Summer!
Our learning centers are hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with strong communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding.
✨ Paid training provided!
Apply now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📢 Attention Educators! Save 20% on In-Person Workshops in San Luis Obispo, CA this June! 🌞
💡 Lindamood-Bell workshops offer evidence-based programs to support students struggling with reading and math, and those diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Ideal for SPED staff, SLPs, MTSS interventionists, paraprofessionals, and tutors.
Use code JOINSLO25 at checkout to save 20%.
 👉 Spaces are limited—sign up today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Summer at Lindamood-Bell can be life-changing for your child!
In just a few weeks, our evidence-based instruction can make a lasting impact in Reading, Comprehension, or Math.
⏳ Enroll now to save on your first week of summer learning!
Spots are filling fast—don’t miss out!
Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎧 New Podcast Episode: A Parent Perspective on Autism & Reading Challenges 🌟
Hear how Lindamood-Bell’s evidence-based approach helped a child with autism overcome reading struggles and the effects of language delays, boosting confidence and skills.
This inspiring story offers hope for families facing similar challenges.
👉 Listen now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🌟 Make a difference this summer!
Lindamood-Bell is hiring! We’re looking for motivated, enthusiastic individuals with strong communication skills and a desire to help students thrive.
Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something truly rewarding. Paid training provided!
📍Explore openings and apply now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Why do so many literacy reforms fall short—and what can be done differently?

In our recent webinar, Paul Worthington, Director of Research and Development at Lindamood-Bell, explains what’s been missing from past initiatives and how our evidence-based approach is helping close the gap for students across the country.

🎥 Watch the full webinar: “Why Literacy Reform Keeps Failing and What Actually Works”
 🔗 Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
📚Help your child catch up or get ahead with Lindamood-Bell summer instruction! ☀️
Our personalized, one-to-one instruction builds skills in reading, comprehension, and math—for all ages and abilities, in person or live online.

🔍 Evidence-based approach
 🧠 Proven effective for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism & more
 🎉 Fun, confidence-boosting environment

💸 Enroll now and get 10% off your first week with our Early Bird offer!
⏳ Don’t wait—get the details and save your spot today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Make a meaningful impact this summer! 🌞
Lindamood-Bell is now hiring enthusiastic, positive individuals with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something rewarding.
🔎 Explore open positions and apply today!
Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎓 You’re Invited to the Lindamood-Bell Academy Virtual Open House!
📅 Tuesday, April 29, 2025
 🕙 10:00 a.m. PT | 1:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. BST

Discover how our accredited K-12 private school helps students thrive through personalized, evidence-based instruction—both online and in person.

🎤 Join us live to learn more and get your questions answered during the Q&A!
🔗 Register now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
 ✨ We can’t wait to share what makes our Academy truly unique!
🌞 Make This Summer Count!
Unlock your child’s learning potential with our unique Learning Ability Evaluation—the first step toward lasting success in reading, comprehension, and math.
🎉 Now just $495 (reg. $1150)
💡 Plus: Get 10% off your first week of summer instruction!
💥 Hurry—this limited-time offer won’t last!
👉 Tap the link in our bio to get started, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Parents, make this summer count! 🌞📚
Give your child the boost they need with Lindamood-Bell summer instruction—designed to help students catch up, hone skills, or get ahead in reading, comprehension, and math. Our engaging, evidence-based approach delivers results, with students often gaining years in just weeks!
🏫 In-person or live online—both options lead to similar, strong gains.
💡Enroll now and save! Get 10% off your first week with our Early Bird offer.
Secure your child's spot today! ✨ Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Give your child a summer of success with Lindamood-Bell! 
☀️📚Our one-to-one instruction helps students of all ages and abilities build skills in reading, comprehension, and math—whether in person or live online.

✨ Personalized, evidence-based instruction
✨ Proven effective for students with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and other learning challenges
✨ A fun, supportive environment that builds confidence

🌟Enroll now for summer and save! Get 10% off your first week of instruction with our Early Bird offer.

Don’t miss out—get details and reserve your spot today! Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Ready to make a difference this summer? ☀️ 
Our learning centers are hiring! We're looking for enthusiastic, positive individuals with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Join us as an Educational Clinician/Tutor and be part of something rewarding.
🔎 Explore open positions and apply today. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Request Information

Request Information

When you complete our form, we'll send you to our digital information packet and reach out to you shortly.
You may also call us at

* required

Schedule a Learning
Ability Evaluation

Please fill out the form and we will be in touch to schedule an evaluation.

* required